Tuesday, March 10, 2009
8:49 PM /
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Geography Week update!
Featuring...
The white cliffs of Dover, England! (Courtesy of: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/119/290719612_5a27cbaf61.jpg)
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, they really are white. Standing juxtaposed against the turquoise sea, these cliffs are mainly composed of limestone (calcium carbonate) which explains their white colour.
The cliffs were formed due to erosion (by solution of CaCO3 as well as hydraulic action and abrasion) at the base of an elevated piece of land / headland. As the base gets undercut, a cave is cut into the limestone. Continual erosion enlarges the cave until so much limestone is lost such that the overhanging portion of the cliff collapses, giving the steep slided cliffs we see here.
Yet another wonder of Geography - its picture-perfect sceneries.